Bertrand Couturié is on the hunt!

In life, you will have many encounters, but those that are inspired by passion make a lasting impression. We recently caught up with Bertrand Couturié, Managing Director of BARNES Propriétés & Châteaux, and he revealed his passion for hunting and his love of sharing these experiences with others who are just as passionate.

The hunting community is not only comprised of hunters (there are about 1.2 million practitioners in France) but 5 million people who are directly or indirectly involved in hunting. Bertrand Couturié tells us that the topic of hunting has long been sidelined by French political leaders, as means to avoid the inquisition of some ecologist (not all, he clarifies). But since the election of the new French President, Emmanuel Macron, the tide has begun to turn. The President hopes to revive the subject in order to honor the tradition of presidential hunts, a useful diplomatic tool used to connect with world leaders.

How did BARNES become a key representative for hunters?

The market for country houses has slowed down in recent years, as the so-called “exotic” vacation destinations (Bali, Mauritius, St. Barts, Marrakech …) and winter sport resorts attract more and more young people with means to invest in a second home.

But those who are willing to acquire a countryside property remain passionate. Lovers of nature, hunting, fishing, and horse riding, as well as connoisseurs of old buildings with historic architecture still find happiness in buying a château or manor of a different time. A second home is not a need, but a pleasure.

At BARNES Propriétés & Châteaux, it is our privilege to offer the most beautiful spaces that cater to passion: exceptional residences with rich land for hunting, horse stables, quarries, and Polo fields. We are a leader in the market of the most beautiful hunting grounds in France, with a reputation that extends abroad to neighboring countries (Belgium and Spain) and even those further away.

A rich diversity of game in France

In terms of game, France is blessed with one of the richest territories in the world. It is home to a wide variety of species and terrains, big game in forests and mountains, small game on plains or in wetlands (ponds), as well as migratory game. The French government regulates hunting in order to protect and manage wildlife and its habitat.

BARNES expertise not only manages the high-end real estate aspect of these properties (châteaux, residences of status, farms, and annexes), but also the criteria necessary to estimate plots comprised of forests, rural land, and wildlife at a fair value. The BARNES Propriétés & Châteaux team is composed of 27 experts, 8 of which specialize in hunting grounds. We help clients in search of hunting grounds find their perfect match, which includes their ideal area and biotope.

Bertrand Couturié told us that the largest amount of transactions takes place in the countryside near Paris, the Centre region (Sologne, Val de Loire), and Normandy. These areas allow all types of hunting to be practiced in an array of biotopes: water, plains, forests. However, we cover all of France. Each region has its own specificities in terms of terrain and fauna.

Bertrand Couturié is a man not only happy to live his passion but to share it with others as well. He believes that time is well spent in the heart of nature with family and friends, and we don’t disagree.

Hunting has been practiced since the dawn of time, and as a part of national history and identity, France will continue this beautiful tradition. A love of hunting is passed down from generation to generation, and BARNES Propriétés & Châteaux is proud to participate in the passing of the baton.